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The sooty-maned lord of the wild presides over his kill, watched by lurking hyenas, while any of the "big five" - elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino or even the elusive leopard may join the pink flamingoes for their sundowner at the evening waterhole.

Kenya's characteristic appeal is to be discovered in the combined allure of its wildlife system, glorious expanse of beaches, a superbly agreeable year-round climate, suitable accommodation and a happy and welcoming people. This vastly diverse land brilliantly blends awe-inspiring natural phenomena with well-structured facilities of a high standard to provide a popular holiday destination of exceptional value.

Seasons to Visit: Kenya is a year round destination with excellent game viewing. The annual wildebeest migration between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya takes place from around June to September. The main tourist season is in January and February, since the hot, dry weather at this time of year is generally considered to be the most pleasant. It's also when Kenya's bird life flocks to the Rift Valley lakes in the greatest numbers. June to September could be called the 'shoulder season', as the weather is still dry. The rains hit from March to May (and to a lesser extent from October to December). During these months things are much quieter - places tend to have rooms available and prices drop. The rains generally don't affect travellers' ability to get around.
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Entry Requirements: All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. Nationals of some countries may obtain visas upon arrival. Those wishing to enter Kenya on business or for longer than 30 days should obtain a visa from their nearest Kenyan Consulate. Visitors travelling through Nairobi en route to Tanzania require a transit visa. A single entry visa is valid for three months. All visitors may be requested to show proof of sufficient funds and onward travel/return ticket.

Dress: Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. The most practical items to pack for safari are Blouses and shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes). A jacket and sweater are recommended for early morning and evening game drives. Good quality, locally made clothing and shoes for safaris are available in Nairobi and Mombasa shops at reasonable prices.

Food/ Restaurants: Kenyans love their dishes simple. Ugali, imported from Uganda, is the most popular food. It consists of boiled corn flour balls, with a texture similar to bread. Meat is the star of Kenyan cooking, mainly beef, veal, goat and lamb, and to a lesser extent pork and chicken. The Elmolo lamb is specially famous. Meals that include meat of some kind are very popular in most restaurants but it will involve some searching to find places that serve vegetarian dishes. "Nyama Choma", a barbecue (beef or goat) is a local favorite; Kenyans however prefer goat for barbecue while beef is preferred for stews. In the more elegant hotels and restaurants however, meals are cooked with the tourist market in mind, they will therefore serve imported cuisines cooked from recipes of European, Asian or Arabic origins. Most hotels have good restaurants. In addition, there is a wide range of restaurants in Nairobi and Mombasa. In the smaller towns the only restaurants service available is at the local hotel.
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Shopping: Woodcarvings are the most popular objects. In all the shops you will find plenty of beadwork, including the typical Maasai bracelets and necklaces, made with coloured beads. Most of them are industrially produced. At the parks' gates in the Maasai Land, especially in Maasai Mara and Amboseli. Gold is mainly found at the coastal Hindu stores. It is used to manufacture all kinds of jewels of ethnic inspiration. In general, prices of all articles for tourists are high. The best prices can be found at the airport shops and from the people at the parks' gates, especially Maasai women at Sekenani Gate, Maasai Mara (only for bracelets and other bead works, the rest has no interest). Shops at some lodges and flea markets usually have reasonable prices as well. Prices are higher at hotels and stores in Nairobi.

Transportation: The main international airport is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport which is about 14 miles from Nairobi. There are also daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to Mombasa, and connecting the main commercial and administrative centres. Several charter companies specialise in the operation of air taxi services at varying rates depending on the size of the aircraft chartered and destination. Travel from Nairobi to Mombasa by rail is usually overnight. Nearly all major towns are connected by tarmac roads of a reasonable standard although one has to be alert for potholes. Taxis ply most of the main centres and can be hired at a reasonable charge.

Health risks: Malaria (except in Nairobi and high-altitude areas), cholera, hepatitis, meningitis, mugging, typhoid, schistosomisis, HIV, Rift Valley fever and yellow fever.

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